Projects

Modern Succulent Planter: Modernica Case Study & Giveaway!!

May 24, 2013 by Stephanie 51 Comments

I love modern and vintage design. The mid-century aesthetic that has become timeless speaks to the functional form, simplistic beauty, and celebration of the natural world that I hold dear. How to Make a Modern Indoor Echeveria Planter

This is why I was overjoyed to learn that distinguished manufacturer and designer of modern furniture, Modernica, has created some stunning ceramic planters available for indoor or outdoor plantings. I thought it was my lucky day when they offered to send me a Case Study Ceramic Bowl with Brazilian walnut plinth to try out.

When it arrived I realized it really was a great day but also one that I get to share…we are giving away the same white planter valued at $189.00 to one of our lucky readers! Check out the contest at the end of the post to see how to enter the draw.

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Filed Under: Gardening, Projects Tagged With: giveaway, indoor, modern, planter, project, weekend project

Outdoor Table Makeover in Minutes

May 22, 2013 by Stephanie Leave a Comment

Does your outdoor table need an update? This quick makeover using waterproof oil cloth may be just the fix!

Oil Cloth Table Cover [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crafts, Projects Tagged With: crafts, outdoor decor, project

Mason Jar Garden Twine Dispenser

May 3, 2013 by Stephanie 1 Comment

How wonderful that gardening supplies have entered the hip world of West Elm Market, Willams-Sonoma and Anthropologie (via their sister garden & home shop, Terrain). The range of tools and accessories surely inspires new gardeners to set up a little green in their outdoor spaces and gives more seasoned green-thumbs some new ideas.

How to Make a Mason Jar Garden Twine Dispenser [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crafts, Gardening, Projects Tagged With: mason jar, projects, tools, weekend project

A Gift for Mom’s Feet this Mother’s Day

May 1, 2013 by Stephanie Leave a Comment

I love my flip flops. Even though it’s still a bit chilly here the winter boots have been packed up and the flip flops are lined up and ready for wherever the day will take me. Often it’s out to the garden to muck around in the dirt and plant up for the summer. But flip flops + gardening = filthy feet. And not that dirt that just dusts off when you shake your feet at the door. The kind that digs into your skin and just won’t come off without a fight.

This is where a herbal foot soak is the perfect solution. Not only does it soak away the aches of the day, but you can use a little as a scrub as well. I can’t help but think that this would be a welcome gift for the gardener in your life (and yes, you qualify for gifts too!) but add some pretty labels and you have yourself a great gift for mother’s day.

Check out the Herbal Foot Soak post at the My Own Ideas blog for the full recipe.

Make this year a handmade holiday and whip up something for mom. Have a browse through the Handmade Gifts posts for more ideas on what to make this year.

Filed Under: Crafts, Projects Tagged With: labels, Mother's Day

How to Build a Woven Bamboo Trellis

April 26, 2013 by Stephanie 4 Comments

When the sun starts shining those seedlings will soon be reaching up to meet it. Some plants have nice strong stalks to hold them up but others need our help. Peas, beans, and other vining vegetables need some sort of trellis to support their growth towards the sky. This project shows you how to easily build a bamboo trellis with only one material. Yep, you guessed it…bamboo!

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Gardening, Growing Food, Projects Tagged With: bamboo, pea, project, trellis, weekend project

Apron in a Jar for Mother’s Day

April 22, 2013 by Stephanie 3 Comments

I often think that the way a gift is wrapped can be as thoughtful as the gift itself. Combine this with my absolute love of canning jars and you have endless possibilities.

Apron in a Jar Mothers Day Gift Idea

This project for the My Own Ideas blog shows you how to make a Apron in a Jar for that special mom in your life. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Canning, Crafts, Projects Tagged With: craft, handmade holiday gifts, labels, Mother's Day

Chalkboard Paint Projects to Get Kids Outside

April 12, 2013 by Guest Leave a Comment

Please welcome guest blogger and author, Stacy Tornio, who will be sharing some chalkboard paint projects you can do outside with kids. Stacy is the co-author of the new book, The Kids’ Outdoor Adventure Book: 448 Great Things To Do In Nature Before You Grow Up. Enter to win a copy of her book as well as some CLIF Bars on her website: Destination Nature.

Anytime we can get kids outside is a good thing, right? We think so! Whether they’re gardening, playing games or exploring the backyard, we want kids to put down the electronics and spend more time in the great outdoors. One way to do this is by encouraging kids to take arts and crafts outside! And this is where chalkboard paint can be a lot of fun.

Stevie recently had a great project on making chalkboard flower pots. To add to that, we wanted to give you a few more ideas for using chalkboard paint outside with kids. Remember that the rain could wash the chalk off, but don’t worry. You can decorate your items again and again! Here are 5 ideas!

Make chalkboard stepping stones. You can use the bottom (saucer) of flower pots for this. Just paint, sink it into the ground and write a message. (The sinking in the ground part is important so the saucer doesn’t break if you do step on it.) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crafts, Projects Tagged With: April, book, chalkboard paint, crafts, garden, kids, Spring

Fairy Garden Round Up

March 29, 2013 by Stephanie Leave a Comment

Last week the we shared these adorable Easter Basket Fairy Gardens from Beverly Turner one of the co-authors of Fairy Gardening: Creating Your Own Magical Miniature Garden and I learned that people just love these little gardens! PS: if you want to win a copy of Fairy Gardening, we are giving a second one away here.

From this post on Hometalk, I’ve seen that there are a lot of fairy garden fans out there. So I did a little snooping around and created this round up of the different fairy gardens that have been shared on Hometalk. (PPS: If you haven’t been to Hometalk yet, you will be delighted to find professionals, bloggers, homeowners and renters who share information, questions, and more in an online community. It’s like having an army of advice right there at your fingertips, and it’s a fun place to show off your hard work around the home and garden.) [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crafts, Flowers, Projects Tagged With: fairy gardening, hometalk, miniature gardening, round up

Easter Egg Bath Bombs

March 26, 2013 by Stephanie 3 Comments

Making bath bombs can be a really fun project and save a few bucks but like many things it is an art that develops over time. I have made my fair share of them. I have soaked my troubles away and enjoyed giving them as gifts.

How to Make Easter Egg Bath Bombs [Read more...]

Filed Under: Crafts, Projects, Recipes Tagged With: bath bomb, easter, handmade holiday gifts, Natural Skincare Series

Make Compost Tea With This DIY Home Brewer

March 25, 2013 by Stephanie 2 Comments

Please welcome guest blogger for the day and author of the new book, The Mini Farming Guide to Composting: Self-Sufficiency from Your Kitchen to Your Backyard, Brett L. Markham. Brett is the author of the popular Mini Farming books, including Mini Farming: Self-Sufficiency on ¼ Acre, Maximizing Your Mini Farm, and the handbooks The Mini Farming Guide to Vegetable Gardening and The Mini Farming Guide to Fermenting.

Before writing The Mini Farming Guide to Composting, Brett asked his readers which topic he should focus on next, and composting topped their wish list. Using the same straightforward, easy-to-follow instructions and the photos of his own plot that gained the following for his earlier books, he now turns his green thumbs to this important, yet overlooked aspect of growing plants. Today he shares with us instructions on how to make a compost tea brewer at home!

Compost Tea Brewer [Read more...]